Top 15 Things to do in Guadalajara, Jalisco

Known as the Silicon Valley of Mexico, Guadalajara is a sprawling metropolis of over 4 million people. As one of the best tourist cities in Mexico, there are a variety of Guadalajara activities available for the entire family.

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Start your Guadalajara vacation with a visit to the Guachimontones Pyramids. Only a short drive from the center of town, the Guachimontones Pyramids are often included on many Guadalajara excursions and are widely known as one of
the top tourist destinations in Mexico. This 2,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site mesmerizes every traveler stopping by for a visit.

After your visit to the Guachimontones Pyramids, head back to the City of Roses and make a stop at the Catedral. The Catedral is still in pristine condition and is visited by thousands of local citizens and tourists on a daily basis. It is one of the oldest religious sites in Guadalajara and is a perfect example of early Spanish colonial architecture. The Catedral should be on your list of things to do in Guadalajara.

While there are many spots in Guadalajara popular among locals and tourists alike, the Teatro Degollado is a must see among the city's top places. While this ancient play house was once used to stage performances, it is now used for concerts and special events all year long. This is one of the many attractions in Guadalajara not to miss.

Because Guadalajara is a city with so much to see and do, tourists may want to have a map with them at all times. Don't miss out on the many Guadalajara tours and book your vacation through Expedia.com today!

Explore the impressive colonial architecture and fascinating past of Guadalajara—the birthplace of both tequila and mariachi—then visit the lively artisan village of Tlaquepaque to admire and shop for locally crafted leather goods, pottery, and other traditional wares.

After being picked up from your hotel, begin in Guadalajara's historic center with a visit to the architectural relics of the colonial era. Stand before the iconic towers and domed façade of the Cathedral, and step into the main staircase of the Baroque Government Palace for a look at a mural by Jose Clemente Orozco.

At the Rotondo de los Jalliscienses Illustres, admire the circular, colonnaded monument to notable individuals from Jalisco, and note the statue of Miguel Hidalgo—the Jesuit priest is considered the "Father of Mexico"—in the sprawling Plaza de la Liberacion.

Listen as your guide recounts tales from Guadalajara's rich history as you head toward the pedestrians-only square and elegant arcades of Plaza Tapatia. After a visit to the neoclassical edifice of the Teatro Degollado, hop on the bus and head to the village-like suburb of Tlaquepaque.

Particularly known for its ceramics, Tlaquepaque is a folk-art lover's dream. Peruse the high-quality jewelry, clothing, and furniture at the market stands, and enjoy some free time to shop or try local culinary specialties—the region is known for its spicy pork tortas ahogadas and pozole soup—before the return trip to your hotel.

Experience firsthand the thrilling spectacle of lucha libre wrestling in one of the most famous wrestling arenas in the world. Start your evening with drinks in a traditional Mexican bar, watch an electrifying match with masked luchadores, and round out... your experience with delicious tacos.

After getting picked up from your Guadalajara hotel, spend some time walking through the city's historic district. Make your way to the La Fuente Cantina, a traditional Mexican bar where you can sip on refreshing drinks and savor the lively local atmosphere. After your delicious stop, your evening really picks up as you head to La Arena Coliseo, an enormous indoor arena that was the main venue for lucha libre wrestling from 1943 to 1956.

Step into the thriving stadium and take a seat in the stands. Soon, luchadores take to the ring, performing astounding acrobatics moves and innovative wrestling maneuvers that the masked fighters are famous for. At the end of the exhilarating match, round out your delightful evening with delicious tacos before being transported back to your hotel.
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Immerse yourself in the culture and tradition of Mexico as you experience an authentic Mexican fiesta with mariachi music and folkloric dances. Delight in a sumptuous Mexican feast in a lively and festive atmosphere.

After convenient pickup at your hotel, strap on your huaraches and head to Casa Bariachi, one of the most popular restaurants in Guadalajara. Watch black-suited mariachis with buttons as big as their sombreros strum percussive rhythms. Adding to the festivities are local professional dancers twirling to the beat in free-flowing, multi-colored dresses. Between watching the performances and being entranced by the sea of beautiful red paper lanterns above, you might even forget the delicious food in front of you—probably not, though.

Taste fresh salsas and rich moles from a menu featuring the best of what Guadalajara has to offer, including sopas and antojos. After chocolate jericalla for dessert, sit back in the comfortable leather chairs as the mariachis play into the twilight of the evening.

With discounts up to 33% off valid at 30 top courses, the Mexico Golf Passport is a great way to save money throughout Mexico’s vacation resort destinations. The passport pays for itself with the first use and the benefits can... apply to a group of 3 players with a huge discount.

Mexico Golf Passport has more than 70 pages of content, discounts, and all the information you need to play and reserve the green that is right for you and your party. The pass makes golfing in Mexico feasible, accessible, and affordable. Book your tee times directly or by contacting the Golf Passport team.

Venture outside of Guadalajara to take in the stunning natural scenery of Lago de Chapala—Mexico's largest lake—and explore the cobbled streets, galleries, and whitewashed homes of the charming village of Ajijic.

After being picked up at your hotel, ride through the Sierra Madres to Lake Chapala, a beautiful body of water lined with charming lakeside towns and framed by rolling hills. Admire the stained-glass windows at Casa Brannif. Built in 1903, this stately Victorian mansion played host to celebrities and socialites from Mexico and abroad during its heyday.

Walk along the pier and stop by the 19th-century Gran Hotel Arzapalo, the first hotel in Chapala, and the recently restored historic train station. Visit the church of San Antonio de Padua, established by the area's earliest Franciscan missionaries.

Soak up the sophisticated, old-world vibe of Ajijic as you wander by the boutiques and restaurants along its colonial streets. Take in the elegant hillside neighborhood of La Floresta, and then continue to explore on foot or opt for a boat ride along the waterfront to Isla de los Alacranes to conclude your tour.

Enjoy convenient and cost-effective shared transportation between Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) and your hotel aboard a shuttle. For transfers to and from Guadalajara, the zones to select from include:

GuadalajaraSelect this option for hotels located within metropolitan Guadalajara, including Zapopan, Tonala, and Tlaquepaque.

Venture to Tequila, a small town with a world-famous name. Explore Casa Herradura, a traditional and well-known distillery to delve into the secrets of tequila production, and take the opportunity to get one of Mexico's most famous drinks right from... the source.

After getting picked up at your hotel, head out across the scenic countryside of Jalisco, marked by vast fields of blue agave. Following an hourlong drive, take a walk in the enchanting small town of Tequila, where you have time to find some lunch.

Next, proceed to Amatitán, considered the main hub of the tequila industry. Visit Casa Herradura and its hacienda to witness the process of fermentation and unearth the secrets and steps involved.

The master distiller shares some interesting facts about the origins of Mexico's favorite drink before introducing you to tequila's different scents and flavors. Upon touring the distillery's elegant hacienda, head back to Guadalajara to conclude your memorable tour.
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Delve into the culture, history, and industry of tequila, and explore the process of producing the libation from agave plant to bottle during this guided tour of the fields, factories, and tasting rooms of this fiesta-fueling Mexican national spirit.

After being picked up in your hotel, venture out along the Ruta de Tequila to a factory in an agave-growing area, where you can learn about the climate around the city of Tequila, see fields of spiky blue agave, and watch the jimadores at work harvesting the plants. Sip a drink as you learn about cooking, fermenting, and distilling agave juice from the pina into silver blanco tequila and barrel-aging it into amber-colored golden varieties.

Visit a bottle factory, then head into the main square in the town of Tequila—the village itself and the surrounding area are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sit down near the colorful benches in front of Santo Santiago Apostol Church for a tequila tasting, then spend some time exploring the village or scoping out a restaurant for a traditional Mexican lunch.

All aboard the Tequila Express, the train dedicated to the world-famous liquor and the region where it is produced. This small-group tour takes you through the scenic agave fields to Jose Cuervo's La Rojeña, the oldest distillery in the Americas,... before concluding with a vibrant folkloric show.

Following your hotel pickup, get on one of the few remaining passenger trains in Mexico, the Tequila Express. During the 90-minute ride, you can observe Jalisco's picturesque rural landscapes and the vast agave fields, the main pillar of the tequila industry.

Once you arrive in Amatitán, make your way to the famous Jose Cuervo's La Rojeña, the oldest distillery in the Americas. Learn about the process and different techniques of tequila production, as well as the history of the liquor.

In the afternoon, indulge in a delicious Mexican buffet lunch with tequila tasting and enjoy an entertaining folkloric show with mariachi and traditional dances.
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Immerse yourself in Mexico's artistic communities as you explore the goods produced by local artisans in the village of Tlaquepaque. Then continue to Tonalá, where pottery and handicrafts are on offer at the town's bustling markets.

After being picked up from your hotel, make your way to the village-like suburb of Tlaquepaque. This folksy, enchanting locale is filled with artists and craftspeople peddling their wares on pedestrian-only streets and in charming plazas. Keep your eyes peeled for pottery and blown glass—2 of the region’s most well-known products—and watch artisans at work inside of colonial mansions repurposed into workshops and studios.

In vibrant and industrious Tonalá, practice your bargaining skills at the exuberant crafts market. A center for pottery making since pre-Hispanic times, this is the place for deals on beautiful ceramics, wood carvings, furniture, and decorative arts. Take a break from the clamor of the market to enjoy lunch; then dive back into the colorful stands to scope out hand-blown margarita glasses, Day of the Dead skeletons, and brightly stitched blankets to take home as souvenirs.

Discover the enchanting colonial villages of Tlaquepaque and Tonalá, famous for their artisans and colorful handicrafts. Pass by the markets and workshops to witness how local craftsmen have mastered glass blowing, pottery, jewelry, and much more.

This small-group tour takes you along cobblestone streets in these idyllic towns to experience genuine Mexican culture and architecture. Start in Tlaquepaque, best known for its handcrafted goods, such as ceramics, woodcarvings, and leatherwork. Stroll down the narrow streets to find shops that were once colonial mansions and now sell beautiful Mexican crafts.

As you visit art and craft factories with your guide, take the opportunity to watch local artisans at work. See a local mariachi band play, buy a traditional lunch if you're hungry, and enjoy some free time before your guide takes you to Tonalá, another town known for its handcrafted goods.

On certain days of the week, a large market takes over the main streets of Tonalá, and people from all over the area come to shop for locally made arts and crafts. Your guide provides a brief explanation of the region's history before you visit a few of the local workshops and factories.

After you've browsed the wide variety of ceramics, hand-blown glass, wood figurines, wrought iron, jewelry, and furniture being produced or sold, head back to your hotel in Guadalajara as the tour comes to an end.